Frontline Services Correction and Rehabilitation of Penitent Offenders
Frontline Services Correction and Rehabilitation of Penitent Offenders
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In this regard, the Therapeutic Community Modality provides a well-defined
structure for a synchronized and focused implementation of the various
intervention strategies/activities undertaken by the Agency such as:
This activity intends to assist the clients in trying to sort out their
problems, identify solutions, reconcile conflicts and help resolve
them. This could be done either by individual or group interaction
with the officers of the Agency.
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5. Health, Mental and Medical Services
7. Community Service
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associations serve another purpose by providing some structure to
the lives of clients where they re-learn the basics of working within a
group with hierarchy, authority and responsibility much like in the
bigger society.
Activities that provide physical exertion like sports, games and group
play are conducted to enhance the physical well being of clients.
Friendly competition of clients from the various offices of the sectors,
together with the officers, provide an enjoyable and healthful respite.
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Considering that it is in the community that the rehabilitation of clients
takes place, the utilization of therapeutic community treatment model coupled
with the principles of restorative justice would be further energized with the
recruitment, training and deployment of Volunteer Probation Aides (VPAs). The
VPA program is a strategy to generate maximum participation of the citizens in
the community-based program of probation and parole. Through the VPAs, the
substance of restorative justice is pursued with deeper meaning since the VPAs
are residents of the same community where the clients they supervise reside.
Thus, it is practicable for the volunteers to solicit support for clients’ needs and
assist the field officers in supervising the probationers, parolees, and pardonees.
Furthermore, the Agency believes that the client’s family is a major part or
support in the rehabilitation process, thus the Administration adopts the
Integrated Allied Social Services program to address the needs of the children
and other minor dependent of the clients. Under the said program, interventions
relative to the growth and development of the minor dependents are done to help
them become productive, law abiding and effective individuals.
WHAT IS TC?
The Therapeutic Community (TC) is an environment that helps people get
help while helping others. It is a treatment environment: the interactions of its
members are designed to be therapeutic within the context of the norms that
require for each to play the dual role of client-therapist. At a given moment, one
may be in a client role when receiving help or support from others because of a
problem behavior or when experiencing distress. At another time, the same
person assumes a therapist role when assisting or supporting another person in
trouble.
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HOW DOES TC LOOK LIKE?
The operation of the community itself is the task of the residents, working
under staff supervision. Work assignments, called “job functions” are arranged in
a hierarchy, according to seniority, individual progress and productivity. These
include conducting all house services, such as cooking, cleaning, kitchen service,
minor repair, serving as apprentices and running all departments, conducting
meetings and peer encounter groups.
3. It believes that TC is a place where: One can change – unfold; the group
can foster change; individuals must take responsibility; structures must
accommodate this; Act as if – go through the motion.
4. There are 5 distinct categories of activity that help promote the change:
Relational/Behavior Management
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Affective/Emotional/Psychological
Cognitive/Intellectual
Spiritual
Psychomotor/Vocational-Survival Skills
These tools serve more than just the purpose of curbing unproductive
behavior. They are also a means used for enforcing community sanctions on
behavior that undermine the safety and integrity of the community such as
violations of the cardinal rules of TC: NO drugs, NO violence or threat of
violence, NO sexual acting out and NO stealing! Everything an officer does is
meant to erase “street behavior” and to lead the offender to be committed to
“right living”.
When the office gives seminars and tutorials, arranges activities focused
on the Higher Power, conducts games, educational trips and other recreational
activities, we touch on the TC aspect of Intellectual and Spiritual Dimension.
Aside from the role of a direct supervisor, the VPAs may be the invited resource
persons, donors/sponsors, facilitators, lecturers, etc. during these seminars.
The skills training and livelihood activities fall within the purview of TC’s
Vocational and Survival Skills, so with Medical/Dental Clinics and Environmental
Conservation activities. In this aspect, the VPAs can facilitate job placement and
can tap community resources for clients social and physical needs.
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By the end of this decade, TC shall have become the corporate culture of
the Parole and Probation Administration permeating its plans, programs, and
practices, and confirming its status as a model component of the Philippine
Correctional System.
1. Introduction